or the salesperson is an idiot!
Suspension question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 877
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From: Appleton Wisconsin
Suspension question
I was talking to a Vette dealer and he told me not buy buy a Z51 C5. He said the ride is horrible and dont buy one. Is this true??
And how much of a difference is there between the F55, F45 and Z51 suspension in ride. Is there a big difference in just crusing around along with being on the track?
And how much of a difference is there between the F55, F45 and Z51 suspension in ride. Is there a big difference in just crusing around along with being on the track?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2001
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12
You are buying a sports car and it should ride like a sports car not a luxury sedan. Z51 Suspension is stiffer and all Vettes should have came from the factory with atleast Z51 Suspension or better yet FE4 
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,304
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From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
Originally Posted by Knowme
You are buying a sports car and it should ride like a sports car not a luxury sedan. Z51 Suspension is stiffer and all Vettes should have came from the factory with atleast Z51 Suspension or better yet FE4
In retrospect I wish I would have gotten mine with at least the Z51.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
Originally Posted by Vette C5
I was talking to a Vette dealer and he told me not buy buy a Z51 C5. He said the ride is horrible and dont buy one. Is this true??
And how much of a difference is there between the F55, F45 and Z51 suspension in ride. Is there a big difference in just crusing around along with being on the track?
And how much of a difference is there between the F55, F45 and Z51 suspension in ride. Is there a big difference in just crusing around along with being on the track?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
Originally Posted by AU N EGL
That is becuase he does not have any Z51s in stock and wants to sell you what he has on his lot.
I have the F45 and I'm already looking to upgrade my shocks and sways
Race Director
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From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I love when you go to a dealrship and start talking Vettes - and they send their Corvette Specialist or some other stupid moniker to talk with you. This certified genius surprisingly knows more than the average sales puke - but that ain't sayin' much considering the average sales puke knows less than nothing if that's possible! 
I have a base suspension FE1 car that now has Hotchkis sways and Bilstein Sport shocks, plus it's lowered on stock bolts - and it rides great! On real bumpy roads - you feel it, so what? But as Knowme pointed out - it's a sports car. It isn't supposed to ride like a Cadillac.
I have a base suspension FE1 car that now has Hotchkis sways and Bilstein Sport shocks, plus it's lowered on stock bolts - and it rides great! On real bumpy roads - you feel it, so what? But as Knowme pointed out - it's a sports car. It isn't supposed to ride like a Cadillac.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: St. Peters MO
C7 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
2018 C7 of Year Finalist
Originally Posted by Vette C5
I was talking to a Vette dealer and he told me not buy buy a Z51 C5. He said the ride is horrible and dont buy one. Is this true??
And how much of a difference is there between the F55, F45 and Z51 suspension in ride. Is there a big difference in just crusing around along with being on the track?
And how much of a difference is there between the F55, F45 and Z51 suspension in ride. Is there a big difference in just crusing around along with being on the track?
As for the ride. Its firmer than the base suspension but by no means "horrible". The ride is perfect for a Corvette. Get it, you won't be dissapointed.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,530
Likes: 250
From: CT
I wouldn't buy a C5 (or a C6 for that matter) without it unless you already plan to replace springs, shocks and sway bars with aftermarket performance parts. The ride is a little stiffer but not punishing. Unless you live in an area with really bad roads you'll hardly notice the difference.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Mustang OK
Originally Posted by Knowme
You are buying a sports car and it should ride like a sports car not a luxury sedan. Z51 Suspension is stiffer and all Vettes should have came from the factory with atleast Z51 Suspension or better yet FE4
We ordered the Z51 on our '03 vert. The wife and I make several road trips a year of 1k miles or more and we're very pleased with the way our car rides.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,030
Likes: 9,785
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The 84 Vette with Z51 was a rough riding SOB for a mid 80s car and that is where that belief originated. The C5s never had that problem. Tell him he needs to update his sales pitch by 20 years. An interesting note is that when I tried a Z51 84 it actually rode softer than my 71 LS6 did.
Bill
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
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From: South Alabama
Originally Posted by Vette C5
I was talking to a Vette dealer and he told me not buy buy a Z51 C5. He said the ride is horrible and dont buy one.
You can take everything he knows about a C5 suspension, put it in a thimble and STILL have room for your middle finger. What a tool 
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by Vette C5
I was talking to a Vette dealer and he told me not buy buy a Z51 C5. He said the ride is horrible and dont buy one. Is this true??
And how much of a difference is there between the F55, F45 and Z51 suspension in ride. Is there a big difference in just crusing around along with being on the track?
And how much of a difference is there between the F55, F45 and Z51 suspension in ride. Is there a big difference in just crusing around along with being on the track?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Oakdale CT
I have the Z51 on my '97 coupe and love it. The ride isn't bad, it is a sports car after all, and Hawaii roads are far from perfect. The car handles like its on rails and I haven't noticed even the slightest body roll, but then my experiences are limited to the street and the drag strip. I'd tell him hes full of it and take my business elsewhere.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 11,133
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From: ~The DARKSIDE Group~
Originally Posted by Vette C5
I was talking to a Vette dealer and he told me not buy buy a Z51 C5. He said the ride is horrible and dont buy one. Is this true??
And how much of a difference is there between the F55, F45 and Z51 suspension in ride. Is there a big difference in just crusing around along with being on the track?
And how much of a difference is there between the F55, F45 and Z51 suspension in ride. Is there a big difference in just crusing around along with being on the track?
Guy must like the Caddy ride...
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,233
Likes: 21
From: Baltimore suburbs Maryland
I like my base springs + bilstein shocks. Next mod shall be Z06 or hotchkis sways. Car has a little too much body roll. I like the soft springs + stiff frame and shocks though. Many german sport sedans are set up similar, for a sporty but comfortable ride.
